Episode Summary:

What happens when you bridge the gap between the architect's drawing board and the forest floor? In this episode, Morag Paterson sits down with Jez Ralph, co-founder of Evolving Forests, to explore a vision for forestry that moves beyond the "binary" of industrial plantations versus total preservation.

Jez shares his journey from archaeology and mountaineering to managing the Architectural Association's Forest Campus in South Devon. Together, they discuss the "Evolving the Forest" movement and why the future of the sector depends on diversified systems, high-quality timber production, and a "bullish" commitment to managing land for the forest's health rather than just the market's demands.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The "Centre Ground": Why we need to move past the polarised debate of commercialism vs. conservation.

• The Sawmill Challenge: The logistical hurdles of processing diverse, high-quality timber in a market built for commodity spruce.

• Demand-Led Landscapes: How architecture and design can drive more resilient and diverse planting choices.

• Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF): The benefits of permanent forest structures for ecology, soil carbon, and timber value.

• Manifesto Alignment: How these local innovations reflect the Forest Policy Group's 2025-26 Manifesto asks for localised governance and micro-business support.

About our Guest:

Jez Ralph is a forester and consultant with over 25 years of experience. Through his multi-disciplinary consultancy, Evolving Forests, he works to connect the timber supply chain, champion innovative construction, and tell the human stories behind our woodlands through film and media.

Links Mentioned in this Episode:

• Forest Policy Group: forestpolicygroup.org

• FPG Manifesto 2025-26: Read the full Manifesto

• Evolving Forests: evolvingforests.com

Connect with FPG: Follow us on LinkedIn or sign up to our quarterly newsletter.